Mother, boyfriend charged in death of 1-year-old

BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. - A mother and her boyfriend have been arrested in connection with the death of a 1-year-old girl, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office confirms.

Brandy Ann Boyd, 25, and Austin Levi Payne, 24, were arrested late Thursday and charged with first-degree cruelty to children and aggravated battery, according to Sgt. Jonathan Rogers, who is investigating the death.

Boyd’s daughter was not breathing Tuesday when she was taken to Cartersville Medical Center, according to police. The baby, whose name was not released, died in the emergency room.

A GBI medical examiner determined that the child showed signs of physical injuries and abuse, said Rogers, declining to elaborate.

Rogers said the Department of Family and Children Services never investigated any issues with the baby before the death. DFCS did look into a matter involving another of Boyd’s children, a 5-year-old boy who is no longer in her custody. But no action was taken, and the mother later lost custody for reasons Rogers said he didn’t yet know.

The baby’s father, Blake Cowart, drowned in the Etowah River last year, the investigator said.

Boyd and Payne appeared before a judge on Friday, and were ordered held without bond.